Price Checker / CPT 36513
How much does Apheresis Platelets cost?
CPT 36513 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 55x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$130–$260
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,600
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$330
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $10,909 is $10,709 over the fair price (about 55x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Apheresis Platelets
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPMC Montefiore , PA | $38,602 | $30,882 | 43676% |
| UPMC Presbyterian , PA | $38,602 | $30,882 | 43676% |
| UPMC Shadyside , PA | $38,602 | $30,882 | 43676% |
| Dominican Hospital SANTA CRUZ, CA | — | — | 26382% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE KINGWOOD Kingwood, TX | — | — | 21775% |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Cypress, TX | — | — | 21775% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE MEDICAL CENTER Houston, TX | — | — | 15589% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE PEARLAND Pearland, TX | — | — | 15589% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE SOUTHEAST Pasadena, TX | — | — | 15589% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE WEST Houston, TX | — | — | 15589% |
| Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Celina, TX | — | — | 12304% |
| Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Dallas, TX | — | — | 12304% |
| Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Mansfield, TX | — | — | 12304% |
| Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Midlothian, TX | — | — | 12304% |
| Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Southlake, TX | — | — | 12304% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Apheresis Platelets
CPT code 36513 refers to apheresis platelets (billing description: "Apheresis platelets"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $88 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $88 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.